Switzerland car rentals

On average a car hire in Switzerland costs $189 per day.

Compact (Class Compact Van or similar) is the most frequently booked car hire type in Switzerland.

In the past 72 hours, the cheapest car hires were found at Unirent ($105/day), Alamo ($112/day) and Budget ($124/day).

Based on ratings and reviews from real users on KAYAK, the best car hire companies in Switzerland are Europcar (8.4, 56 reviews), Alamo (7.6, 105 reviews), and Hertz (7.6, 95 reviews).

Take a look at our extensive car hire location map to find the best car hire deals near you.

Based on car searches on KAYAK, the most popular cities to hire a car in Switzerland are Geneva (70% of total searches of users looking to hire a car in Switzerland), Zurich (27%) and Lucerne (3%).

On average a car hire in Switzerland costs $504 per week ($72 per day).

On average a car hire in Switzerland costs $2,161 per month ($72 per day).

Driving in Switzerland is generally considered to be a comfortable experience, with well-maintained roads and an abundance of highways. Drivers unused to winter conditions should consider taking it slowly in stormy or icy weather, especially when driving over steep mountain passes. There are few toll roads in the country, but anyone wishing to use the highway network will need to buy a toll sticker for around 40 CHF (40 USD) for a year of access. These are usually provided by rental agencies, but if not, they can be purchased from post offices or other outlets.

To rent a car in Switzerland, drivers need to be at least 18 and have held their license for a minimum of one year. Most domestic driver’s licenses are accepted if printed in English, but otherwise, an International Driver’s Permit (IDP) will be required. Some agencies, such as Enterprise, charge an additional daily fee of around 26 CHF (26 USD) for drivers under 25 years old.

Petrol stations are common throughout the country, especially in urban or highway areas, and there are an increasing number of self-service options that accept credit cards or even cash directly at the pump. Most stations are open from 8 am to 10 pm, but some highway locations may offer a 24h service. Petrol prices are comparable to the rest of Europe, while diesel is more expensive: a liter of petrol costs around 1,50 CHF (1.50 USD) and a liter of diesel around 1,70 CHF (1.70 USD). That equals 5.67 USD for a gallon of petrol and 6.43 USD for a gallon of diesel.

Speed limits in Switzerland might vary depending on the safety and location of the road, so it is important to observe local signs to avoid high speeding fines. Urban areas usually have a limit of 30-50 km/h (18-31 mph), while national rural roads are capped at 80-100 km/h (50-62 mph). Highways have a top speed of 120 km/h (74 mph).